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None of the defendants appeared in person and were found guilty in their absence.

Phil Jones, debt recovery and prosecutions unit manager for Arriva Rail North, said: "Arriva Rail North is required by the terms of its franchise to ensure that it protects revenue from ticket sales.

"This is a sensible requirement designed to ensure that fare paying passengers and tax paters in general do not have to subsidise the cost of travel for those who do not pay their fare.

"To do this we employ dedicated revenue officers to apprehend fare evaders, we have also invested in revenue protection measures such as automatic ticket barriers.

"In addition Arriva Rail North is working tirelessly to improve upon existing retailing opportunities on the network.

"We take every offence of travelling without a ticket very seriously and we are also committed to preventing antisocial behaviour both on board trains and at stations to ensure our customers enjoy a safe and comfortable experience."